Curved spine: what is it?

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Scoliosis is a medical condition that causes a curved spine and can be caused by functional, degenerative, or neuromuscular factors. Symptoms include back pain and shortness of breath, and treatment options vary depending on the type of scoliosis.

A curved spine is often the result of a medical condition called scoliosis. There are three basic types of scoliosis, including functional, degenerative, and neuromuscular. A curved spine can also be caused by a benign spinal tumor, which can cause some people to lean to one side due to an immense amount of pain.
There is no known cause of scoliosis, although each type is distinctly different. Functional scoliosis denotes a normal spine that is slightly curved due to another physical problem. For example, if one leg is shorter than the other, often the result is a curved spine. Likewise, any type of muscle spasm that occurs in the back area can lead to a curved spine.

Degenerative scoliosis only affects older adults who have severe arthritis. As the name suggests, degenerative scoliosis cannot be reversed and tends to get worse over time. Neuromuscular scoliosis is usually caused by some type of birth defect, which is why many young people suffer from the disorder. This type of scoliosis frequently occurs when the bones within the spine are not formed properly.

Symptoms of scoliosis include noticeable curvature of the spine, shortness of breath, back pain, and even chest pain. While shortness of breath and chest pain are rare, these symptoms can occur if the spine has become drastically curved. However, most people do not experience any pain from a curved spine.

The only way to determine whether or not a person has scoliosis is through a complete physical exam. When visiting a doctor, the patient will be asked to remove any clothing from the waist up. This way, a doctor can examine the curvature of the spine.

If scoliosis is found, there are a few things that can be done to help correct this disorder. Before starting any type of treatment, however, it is vital that the type of scoliosis a person suffers from is noted. Because the three types of scoliosis are drastically different from each other, there are three completely unique treatments for each type.

Functional scoliosis is treated, if possible, by correcting the problem that is causing a curved spine. Neuromuscular scoliosis is often treated with the help of special appliances and surgeries, while degenerative scoliosis is treated with physical therapy sessions and minor surgeries. Any person experiencing back pain, a curved spine, or any of the other symptoms listed above should see a doctor right away.




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